Boroughs Subways Best And Worst In City

A Straphanger Campaign subway performance report card once again sent a mixed message to Queens 600,000 daily commuters that their lines were among the best and worst in the Transit Authoritys [MTA] subway system.
Optimistically, this years report found local trains were cleaner, gave better informational announcements, and broke down less often. Queens riders use nearly half of the citys 22 subway lines.
The Straphangers Campaign, a public transportation watchdog and transit activist group, evaluated five safety and quality of life subway services provided by Queens 12 subway lines: regularity of service, breakdown rate, getting a seat, train cleanliness, and in-car announcements.
Queens lines were judged among the citys best and worst.
Placing second citywide, the No. 7 line ranked highest in Queens because of its improved service, seating and announcements. The No. N line was judged the citys poorest, slumping to last place from last years next-to-last rating.
The report showed that Queens beleagured commuters had the best chance for getting a seat. The systems top five routes the B, V, M, 7 and J/Z provided the best seating accommodations.
The G line was praised for providing the citys most reliable train service. Conversely, six of the MTAs nine worst routes E, F, N, V, R and A lines also serviced Queens riders.
While the No. Q line had Queens lowest breakdown rate, eight of the citys nine worst lines N, F, M, A and 7 started their runs in Queens.
The boroughs train cleanliness also reached the heights and depths of the subway ratings. The citys top four lines the E, N, G and M serve Queens riders, while seven of the citys dirtiest lines the V, B, A Q, 7, F and R also ride through Queens.
Accurate and understandable train announcements, a vital necessity since the September 11, 2001, attacks, were sorely lacking on Queens lines. Three of the poorest borough lines the F, Q and J/Z placed last citywide.
While there has been significant improvement in mass transit services, the Straphangers report says more state financial support is needed. The citys bus and subway systems move more than 84% of all the state riders but gets only 63% of state transit funding. In contrast, the LIRR and MetroNorth move just 6% of state riders, but receive 22% of New York States transit funding.